Hybrid electric powerplant systems and controllers

ABSTRACT

A hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system can include a heat engine torque sensor connected between a heat engine and a combining gear box to sense a heat motor input torque input to the combining gear box, an electric motor torque sensor connected between an electric motor and the combining gear box to sense an electric motor input torque input to the combining gear box, and a combining gear box torque sensor connected to an output of the combining gearbox. The system can include a HEP controller operatively connected to each of the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor, and the combining gear box torque sensor to receive one or more torque signals therefrom. The controller can be configured to output one or more output signals as a function of the signals from each of the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor, and the combining gear box torque sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/892,352, filed Aug. 27, 2019, the entire contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to hybrid electric powerplant systems andcontrollers (e.g., for aircraft).

BACKGROUND

In aircraft hybrid electric powerplants, the ability to detect andaccommodate faults early before resulting in permanent damage to thepowerplant and/or a system thereof is desired. For example, improvedsystems that detect, diagnose, communicate, and/or mitigate againstfailures would provide improved powerplant control.

Such conventional methods and systems have generally been consideredsatisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a needin the art for improved hybrid electric powerplant systems andcontrollers. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY

A hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system can include a heat enginetorque sensor connected between a heat engine and a combining gear boxto sense a heat motor input torque input to the combining gear box, anelectric motor torque sensor connected between an electric motor and thecombining gear box to sense an electric motor input torque input to thecombining gear box, and a combining gear box torque sensor connected toan output of the combining gearbox. The system can include a HEPcontroller operatively connected to each of the heat engine torquesensor, the electric motor torque sensor, and the combining gear boxtorque sensor to receive one or more torque signals therefrom. The HEPcontroller can be configured to output one or more output signals as afunction of the signals from each of the heat engine torque sensor, theelectric motor torque sensor, and the combining gear box torque sensor.

In certain embodiments, the system can include a heat engine disconnectdisposed between the heat engine and the combining gear box andconfigured to disconnect the heat engine from the combining gear box. Incertain embodiments, the system can include an electric motor disconnectdisposed between the electric motor and the combining gear box andconfigured to disconnect the electric motor from the combining gear box.

The HEP controller can be connected to each of the heat enginedisconnect and the electric motor disconnect to control each disconnectas a function of the torque signals from one or more of the heat enginetorque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor, and/or the combininggear box torque sensor. In certain embodiments, the HEP controller canbe configured such that if the torque signals from the heat enginetorque sensor or the electric motor torque sensor indicate that lesstorque is being provided by the heat engine or the electric motor thanis commanded and a health of the heat engine or the electric motor,respectively, is unknown or outside of a normal operating limit, the oneor more output signals of the HEP controller include a control signal tocontrol the heat engine disconnect or the electric motor disconnect,respectively, to disconnect the heat engine or the electric motor and atorque command signal to control the other of the heat engine or theelectric motor to produce additional torque to attempt to compensate forthe disconnected heat engine or electric motor.

In certain embodiments, the HEP controller can be configured such thatif the torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor or the electricmotor torque sensor indicate that less torque is being provided by theheat engine or the electric motor than is commanded and a health of theheat engine or the electric motor, respectively, is within a normaloperating limit, the one or more output signals of the HEP controllerinclude a torque command signal to command the other of the heat engineor the electric motor to produce additional torque to attempt tocompensate to meet a commanded total torque. In certain embodiments, theHEP controller can be configured such that if the torque signals fromthe heat engine torque sensor or the electric motor torque sensorindicate that a commanded torque is being provided by both the heatengine and the electric motor, but one or more signals from thecombining gearbox torque sensor indicate that total torque output isless than a commanded total torque, and if a health of both the heatengine and the electric motor are within normal operating limits, theone or more output signals of the HEP controller include maintenancesystem indicator activation signal to indicate that maintenance isneeded to assess a health of the combining gearbox or accessory drives.

In certain embodiments, the HEP controller can be configured such thatif the torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor or the electricmotor torque sensor indicate that a commanded torque is being providedby both the heat engine and the electric motor, but one or more signalsfrom the combining gearbox torque sensor indicate that total torqueoutput is less than a commanded total torque, and if a health of eitherof the heat engine or the electric motor are unknown or outside a normaloperating limit, the one or more output signals of the HEP controllerare configured include a warning indicator activation signal to activatea crew alert system indicator to warn of a HEP level failure leading toa potential HEP shutdown. In certain embodiments, the HEP controller canbe configured such that if the torque signals from the heat enginetorque sensor or the electric motor torque sensor indicate that lesstorque is being provided by the heat engine or the electric motor thanis commanded, and a trend indicates that the difference between actualtorque and commanded torque is growing over time, the one or more outputsignals of the HEP controller include a warning indicator activationsignal to activate a maintenance system indicator to warn thatmaintenance is needed.

In certain embodiments, the HEP controller can be configured such thatif a failure of the heat engine torque sensor or the electric motortorque sensor is determined, the HEP controller is configured todetermine a missing torque value as a difference of the heat enginetorque sensor or the electric motor torque sensor, whichever is stillfunctioning, and the combining gearbox torque sensor. In certainembodiments, the system can include a speed sensor connected to eachlocation where there is a torque sensor. Each speed sensor can beconnected to the HEP controller to provide one or more speed signals tothe HEP controller for additional feedback control. For example, the HEPcontroller can be configured to connect to a speed sensor for eachtorque sensor to receive one or more speed signals therefrom foradditional feedback control.

Any other suitable components for the system to perform any othersuitable function are contemplated herein. Any other suitableconfiguration for the HEP controller to perform any suitable process iscontemplated herein.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a hybridelectric powerplant (HEP) controller as disclosed herein, e.g., asdescribed above, can be configured to operatively connect to each of aheat engine torque sensor, an electric motor torque sensor, and acombining gear box torque sensor to receive one or more torque signalstherefrom, and to output one or more output signals as a function of thesignals from each of the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motortorque sensor, and the combining gear box torque sensor. The HEPcontroller can be configured in any suitable manner, e.g., as describedabove.

These and other features of the embodiments of the subject disclosurewill become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosureappertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices andmethods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation,embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below withreference to certain figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a system in accordancewith this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like referencenumerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subjectdisclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and notlimitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a system inaccordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designatedgenerally by reference character 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, a hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system 100 caninclude a heat engine torque sensor 101 a connected between a heatengine 103 a and a combining gear box 105 (e.g., connected to an outputshaft 104 a of the heat engine 103 a) to sense a heat motor input torqueinput to the combining gear box 105. The system 100 can also include anelectric motor torque sensor 101 b connected between an electric motor103 b and the combining gear box 105 (e.g., connected to an output shaft104 b of the electric motor 103 b) to sense an electric motor inputtorque input to the combining gear box 105.

The system 100 can include a combining gear box torque sensor 107connected to an output 109 of the combining gearbox 105. The system 100can include a HEP controller 111 operatively connected to each of theheat engine torque sensor 101 a, the electric motor torque sensor 101 b,and the combining gear box torque sensor 107 to receive one or moretorque signals therefrom. The HEP controller 111 can be configured tooutput one or more output signals (e.g., one or more commands, indicatoractivation signals, and/or any other suitable signals) as a function ofthe signals from each of the heat engine torque sensor 101 a, theelectric motor torque sensor 101 b, and the combining gear box torquesensor 103. The HEP controller 111 can include any suitable hardwaremodule(s) and/or software module(s) configured to perform and processand/or function disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the system 100 can include a heat enginedisconnect 113 a disposed between the heat engine 103 a and thecombining gear box 105 and configured to disconnect the heat engine 103a from the combining gear box 105. In certain embodiments, the system100 can include an electric motor disconnect 113 b disposed between theelectric motor 103 b and the combining gear box 105 and configured todisconnect the electric motor 103 a from the combining gear box 105. Therespective disconnects 113 a, 113 b can include any suitable deviceconfigured to selectively connect and disconnect two rotating members,for example, and can be connected to the respective output shafts 104 a,104 b distal of the torque sensors 101 a, 101 b (e.g., between thetorque sensors 101 a, 101 b and the combining gear box 105), e.g., asshown. Any other suitable disconnect type and/or position thereof iscontemplated herein.

The HEP controller 111 can be connected to each of the heat enginedisconnect 113 a and the electric motor disconnect 113 b to control eachdisconnect 113 a, 113 b as a function of the torque signals from one ormore of the heat engine torque sensor 101 a, the electric motor torquesensor 101 b, and/or the combining gear box torque sensor 105. Incertain embodiments, the HEP controller 111 can be configured such thatif the torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor 101 a or theelectric motor torque sensor 101 b indicate that less torque is beingprovided by the heat engine 103 a or the electric motor 103 b than iscommanded (e.g., the heat engine input torque input or the electricmotor input torque is less than expected) and if a health of the heatengine 103 a or the electric motor 103 b, respectively (the oneproducing less torque than commanded), is unknown or outside of a normaloperating limit, the one or more output signals of the HEP controller111 can include a control signal to control the heat engine disconnect113 a or the electric motor disconnect 113 b, respectively (the one thatis producing less torque than commanded), to disconnect the heat engine103 a or the electric motor 103 b, respectively (the one that isproducing less torque than commanded). In certain embodiments, in such acircumstance, the output signal can also include a torque command signalto control the other of the heat engine 103 a or the electric motor 103b to produce additional torque to attempt to compensate for thedisconnected heat engine 103 a or electric motor 103 b, respectively. Incertain embodiments, the HEP controller 111 can be configured such thatif the torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor 101 a or theelectric motor torque sensor 101 b indicate that less torque is beingprovided by the heat engine 103 a or the electric motor 103 b than iscommanded and a health of the heat engine 103 a or the electric motor103 b, respectively (the one that is producing less torque thancommanded), is within a normal operating limit, the one or more outputsignals of the HEP controller 111 can include a torque command signal tocommand the other of the heat engine 103 a or the electric motor 103 bto produce additional torque to attempt to compensate to meet acommanded total torque.

In certain embodiments, the HEP controller 111 can be configured suchthat if the torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor 101 a orthe electric motor torque sensor 101 b indicate that a commanded torqueis being provided by both the heat engine 103 a and the electric motor103 b (e.g., the heat engine input torque input or the electric motorinput torque is as expected), but one or more signals from the combininggearbox torque sensor 107 indicate that total torque output is less thana commanded total torque, and if a health of both the heat engine 103 aand the electric motor 103 b are within normal operating limits, the oneor more output signals of the HEP controller 111 can include amaintenance system indicator activation signal to indicate thatmaintenance is needed to assess a health of the combining gearbox 105 oraccessory drives 115, for example. The system 100 can include themaintenance system indicator operatively connected to the HEP controller111. The maintenance indicator can include any suitable indicator type(e.g., a cockpit light and/or alarm, a manufacturer system indicator).Depending on the application, the signal could be sent to an aircraftsystem 123 or to an engine/motor-manufacturer system, for example.

In certain embodiments, the HEP controller 111 can be configured suchthat if the torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor 101 a orthe electric motor torque sensor 101 b indicate that a commanded torqueis being provided by both the heat engine 103 a and the electric motor103 b, but one or more signals from the combining gearbox torque sensor107 indicate that total torque output is less than a commanded totaltorque, and if a health of either of the heat engine 103 a or theelectric motor 103 b are unknown or outside a normal operating limit,the one or more output signals of the HEP controller 111 can include awarning indicator activation signal to activate a crew alert system(CAS) indicator to warn of a HEP level failure leading to a potentialHEP shutdown. The system 100 can include the CAS indicator operativelyconnected to the HEP controller 111. The CAS indicator can include anysuitable indicator type (e.g., a cockpit light and/or alarm). In certainembodiments, the controller 111 can be configured to automatically shutdown each of the heat engine 103 a and the electric motor 103 b in sucha circumstance additionally to or instead of sending a warning indicatoractivation signal (e.g., in autonomous aircraft operations).

In certain embodiments, the HEP controller 111 can be configured suchthat if the torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor 101 a orthe electric motor torque sensor 101 b indicate that less torque isbeing provided by the heat engine 103 a or the electric motor 103 b thanis commanded, and a trend indicates that the difference between actualtorque and commanded torque is growing over time (e.g., torque output isdropping over time by one or both of the heat engine 103 a or electricmotor 103 b), the one or more output signals of the HEP controller 111can include a warning indicator activation signal to activate amaintenance system indicator to warn that maintenance is needed. Thesystem 100 can include the CAS indicator operatively connected to theHEP controller 111. The CAS indicator can include any suitable indicatortype (e.g., a cockpit light and/or alarm).

In certain embodiments, the HEP controller 111 can be configured suchthat if a failure of the heat engine torque sensor 101 a or the electricmotor torque sensor 103 a is determined, the HEP controller 111 can beconfigured to determine a missing torque value as a difference of theheat engine torque sensor 101 a or the electric motor torque sensor 101b, whichever is still functioning, and the combining gearbox torquesensor 107. This allows a subtraction of total torque from one of theremaining torque lane(s) to calculate the missing torque value).

The system 100 can include a speed sensor 119 a, 119 b, 121 connected toeach location where there is a torque sensor 101 a, 101 b, 107. Eachspeed sensor can be connected to the HEP controller 111 to provide oneor more speed signals to the HEP controller 111 for additional feedbackcontrol (e.g., overspeed protection and/or to determine if disconnectmechanism is engaged). For example, the HEP controller 111 can beconfigured to connect to each speed sensor 119 a, 119 b, 121 to receiveone or more speed signals therefrom, and to determine any suitablecondition and take any suitable action (e.g., disconnect) based on theone or more speed signals.

Any other suitable components for the system 100 to perform any othersuitable function are contemplated herein. Any other suitableconfiguration for the HEP controller 111 to perform any suitable processis contemplated herein (e.g., to determine torque based on the torquesignals of each sensor, to determine speed based on speed sensorsignals, to process signals to determine the health of or faults in oneor more the heat engine 103 a, the electric motor 103 b, sensors 101 a,101 b, 107, 119 a, 119 b, 121, to determine if torque is low or high atany location, to determine if power compensation is possible by othertorque lane and to send a warning indicator activation signal if not).The HEP controller 111 can provide output to one or more aircraftsystems 123, e.g., for cockpit indication (e.g., ICAS, cockpit display,etc.) for the pilot to review.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a hybridelectric powerplant

(HEP) controller as disclosed herein, e.g., HEP controller 111 asdescribed above, can be configured to operatively connect to each of aheat engine torque sensor, an electric motor torque sensor, and acombining gear box torque sensor to receive one or more torque signalstherefrom, and to output one or more output signals as a function of thesignals from each of the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motortorque sensor, and the combining gear box torque sensor. The HEPcontroller can be configured in any suitable manner, e.g., as describedabove.

For certain parallel hybrid electric propulsion systems, a heat motorand an electric motor can provide torque input to a combining gearbox.Embodiments allow measuring two inputs (e.g., the output of each powerlane) and one output (e.g., the output of combining gearbox) which canallow precise fault detection to determine a cause of a fault and totake appropriate corrective or indicative steps. Embodiments can includea mechanical disconnect mechanism for each torque input lane, and aspeed sensor on the motor side can be used to determine if a mechanicaldisconnect is engaged.

Embodiments can provide the ability to detect abnormal events, faults,and failures and isolate source of abnormal event such as lower measuredtorque than requested at any of the measured torque locations and/orengine abnormal events causing lower measured torque. Embodiments canaccommodate a detected fault based on severity of system-level effectand can shut down and/or disconnect torque lane, compensate bycommanding higher power from other torque lane to meet HEP requestedpower and/or compensating with other aircraft propulsion sources, notifyflight crew via a CAS message on the fault detected. Embodiments canallow accommodation to be automated by the HEP controller or based onpilot command.

Embodiments can provide output to one or more aircraft systems. Forexample, embodiments can provide output to health monitoring systems forfuture maintenance actions. Certain embodiments can include such healthmonitoring systems. Embodiments can prevent high impact hardwarefailures through early detection and/or provide mitigation by shuttingdown the motor. Embodiments can provide a greater potential forpropulsion system torque availability by compensating power from theother torque lane when one torque lane is in a partially degraded statewhile the degraded motor is within normal operating limits (e.g. due totemperature limits, pressure limits, vibration limits, etc.)

Embodiments can also provide redundancy of torque measurements. Whentorque measurement is lost from one lane, torque measurement can besynthesized from the remaining, e.g., two other, torque readings.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of thepresent disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computerprogram product. Accordingly, aspects of this disclosure may take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects, all possibilities ofwhich can be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.” A“circuit,” “module,” or “system” can include one or more portions of oneor more separate physical hardware and/or software components that cantogether perform the disclosed function of the “circuit,” “module,” or“system”, or a “circuit,” “module,” or “system” can be a singleself-contained unit (e.g., of hardware and/or software). Furthermore,aspects of this disclosure may take the form of a computer programproduct embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) havingcomputer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thisdisclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (forexample, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the this disclosure may be described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of thisdisclosure. It will be understood that each block of any flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in anyflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inany flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified herein.

Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any numericalvalues disclosed herein can be exact values or can be values within arange. Further, any terms of approximation (e.g., “about”,“approximately”, “around”) used in this disclosure can mean the statedvalue within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, the range canbe within (plus or minus) 20%, or within 10%, or within 5%, or within2%, or within any other suitable percentage or number as appreciated bythose having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limitsor error ranges).

The articles “a”, “an”, and “the” as used herein and in the appendedclaims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to atleast one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, “an element” means oneelement or more than one element.

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of.”

Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or anysuitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated bythose having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

The embodiments of the present disclosure, as described above and shownin the drawings, provide for improvement in the art to which theypertain. While the subject disclosure includes reference to certainembodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatchanges and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system,comprising: a heat engine torque sensor connected between a heat engineand a combining gear box to sense a heat motor input torque input to thecombining gear box; an electric motor torque sensor connected between anelectric motor and the combining gear box to sense an electric motorinput torque input to the combining gear box; a combining gear boxtorque sensor connected to an output of the combining gearbox; and a HEPcontroller operatively connected to each of the heat engine torquesensor, the electric motor torque sensor, and the combining gear boxtorque sensor to receive one or more torque signals therefrom, whereinthe controller is configured to output one or more output signals as afunction of the signals from each of the heat engine torque sensor, theelectric motor torque sensor, and the combining gear box torque sensor.2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat engine disconnectdisposed between the heat engine and the combining gear box andconfigured to disconnect the heat engine from the combining gear box. 3.The system of claim 2, further comprising an electric motor disconnectdisposed between the electric motor and the combining gear box andconfigured to disconnect the electric motor from the combining gear box.4. The system of claim 3, wherein the HEP controller is connected toeach of the heat engine disconnect and the electric motor disconnect tocontrol each disconnect as a function of the torque signals from one ormore of the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor,and/or the combining gear box torque sensor.
 5. The system of claim 4,wherein the HEP controller is configured such that if the torque signalsfrom the heat engine torque sensor or the electric motor torque sensorindicate that less torque is being provided by the heat engine or theelectric motor than is commanded and a health of the heat engine or theelectric motor, respectively, is unknown or outside of a normaloperating limit, the one or more output signals of the HEP controllerinclude a control signal to control the heat engine disconnect or theelectric motor disconnect, respectively, to disconnect the heat engineor the electric motor and a torque command signal to control the otherof the heat engine or the electric motor to produce additional torque toattempt to compensate for the disconnected heat engine or electricmotor.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the HEP controller isconfigured such that if the torque signals from the heat engine torquesensor or the electric motor torque sensor indicate that less torque isbeing provided by the heat engine or the electric motor than iscommanded and a health of the heat engine or the electric motor,respectively, is within a normal operating limit, the one or more outputsignals of the HEP controller include a torque command signal to commandthe other of the heat engine or the electric motor to produce additionaltorque to attempt to compensate to meet a commanded total torque.
 7. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein the HEP controller is configured such that ifthe torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor or the electricmotor torque sensor indicate that a commanded torque is being providedby both the heat engine and the electric motor, but one or more signalsfrom the combining gearbox torque sensor indicate that total torqueoutput is less than a commanded total torque, and if a health of boththe heat engine and the electric motor are within normal operatinglimits, the one or more output signals of the HEP controller include a amaintenance system indicator activation signal to indicate thatmaintenance is needed to assess a health of the combining gearbox oraccessory drives.
 8. The system of claim 4, wherein the HEP controlleris configured such that if the torque signals from the heat enginetorque sensor or the electric motor torque sensor indicate that acommanded torque is being provided by both the heat engine and theelectric motor, but one or more signals from the combining gearboxtorque sensor indicate that total torque output is less than a commandedtotal torque, and if a health of either of the heat engine or theelectric motor are unknown or outside a normal operating limit, the oneor more output signals of the HEP controller are configured include awarning indicator activation signal to activate a crew alert systemindicator to warn of a HEP level failure leading to a potential HEPshutdown.
 9. The system of claim 4, wherein the HEP controller isconfigured such that if the torque signals from the heat engine torquesensor or the electric motor torque sensor indicate that less torque isbeing provided by the heat engine or the electric motor than iscommanded, and a trend indicates that the difference between actualtorque and commanded torque is growing over time, the one or more outputsignals of the HEP controller include a warning indicator activationsignal to activate a maintenance system indicator to warn thatmaintenance is needed.
 10. The system of claim 4, wherein the HEPcontroller is configured such that if a failure of the heat enginetorque sensor or the electric motor torque sensor is determined, the HEPcontroller is configured to determine a missing torque value as adifference of the heat engine torque sensor or the electric motor torquesensor, whichever is still functioning, and the combining gearbox torquesensor.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a speed sensorconnected to each location where there is a torque sensor, wherein eachspeed sensor is connected to the HEP controller to provide one or morespeed signals to the HEP controller for additional feedback control. 12.A hybrid electric powerplant (HEP) controller configured to operativelyconnect to each of a heat engine torque sensor, an electric motor torquesensor, and a combining gear box torque sensor to receive one or moretorque signals therefrom, wherein the controller is configured to outputone or more output signals as a function of the signals from each of theheat engine torque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor, and thecombining gear box torque sensor.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinthe HEP controller is connected to a heat engine disconnect and anelectric motor disconnect to control each disconnect as a function ofthe torque signals from one or more of the heat engine torque sensor,the electric motor torque sensor, and/or the combining gear box torquesensor.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the HEP controller isconfigured such that if the torque signals from the heat engine torquesensor or the electric motor torque sensor indicate that less torque isbeing provided by the heat engine or the electric motor than iscommanded and a health of the heat engine or the electric motor,respectively, is unknown or outside of a normal operating limit, the oneor more output signals of the HEP controller include a control signal tocontrol the heat engine disconnect or the electric motor disconnect,respectively, to disconnect the heat engine or the electric motor and atorque command signal to control the other of the heat engine or theelectric motor to produce additional torque to attempt to compensate forthe disconnected heat engine or electric motor.
 15. The system of claim13, wherein the HEP controller is configured such that if the torquesignals from the heat engine torque sensor or the electric motor torquesensor indicate that less torque is being provided by the heat engine orthe electric motor than is commanded and a health of the heat engine orthe electric motor, respectively, is within a normal operating limit,the one or more output signals of the HEP controller include a torquecommand signal to command the other of the heat engine or the electricmotor to produce additional torque to attempt to compensate to meet acommanded total torque.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the HEPcontroller is configured such that if the torque signals from the heatengine torque sensor or the electric motor torque sensor indicate that acommanded torque is being provided by both the heat engine and theelectric motor, but one or more signals from the combining gearboxtorque sensor indicate that total torque output is less than a commandedtotal torque, and if a health of both the heat engine and the electricmotor are within normal operating limits, the one or more output signalsof the HEP controller include a a maintenance system indicatoractivation signal to indicate that maintenance is needed to assess ahealth of the combining gearbox or accessory drives.
 17. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the HEP controller is configured such that if thetorque signals from the heat engine torque sensor or the electric motortorque sensor indicate that a commanded torque is being provided by boththe heat engine and the electric motor, but one or more signals from thecombining gearbox torque sensor indicate that total torque output isless than a commanded total torque, and if a health of either of theheat engine or the electric motor are unknown or outside a normaloperating limit, the one or more output signals of the HEP controllerare configured include a warning indicator activation signal to activatea crew alert system indicator to warn of a HEP level failure leading toa potential HEP shutdown.
 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the HEPcontroller is configured such that if the torque signals from the heatengine torque sensor or the electric motor torque sensor indicate thatless torque is being provided by the heat engine or the electric motorthan is commanded, and a trend indicates that the difference betweenactual torque and commanded torque is growing over time, the one or moreoutput signals of the HEP controller include a warning indicatoractivation signal to activate a maintenance system indicator to warnthat maintenance is needed.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the HEPcontroller is configured such that if a failure of the heat enginetorque sensor or the electric motor torque sensor is determined, the HEPcontroller is configured to determine a missing torque value as adifference of the heat engine torque sensor or the electric motor torquesensor, whichever is still functioning, and the combining gearbox torquesensor.
 20. The system of claim 12, the HEP controller is configured toconnect to a speed sensor for each torque sensor to receive one or morespeed signals therefrom for additional feedback control.